Operator cab for earth moving machines

ABSTRACT

An operator cab for an earth moving machine is disclosed in the present disclosure. The operator cab comprises at least one frame formed from a single work-piece and having a first end and a second end. The frame further comprises a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion. The first portion comprises the first end and extends in a first direction. The second portion extends in a second direction at an angle from the first portion forming a first bend. The third portion extends at an angle from the second portion forming a second bend. The third portion is smaller in length than the first portion. The fourth portion extends at an angle from the third portion forming a third bend. The fourth portion comprises the second end which is coupled to the first portion at a location offset from the first end.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an earth moving machine. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an operator cab, and in particular a cab structure or frame, for the earth moving machine.

BACKGROUND

Earth moving machines, such as a track type tractor, operate in rough environments, such as a mine site or a construction site. These machines may encounter accidents due to vehicle overturn or vehicle roll-over etc. Earth moving machines may include operator cab to protect operator of earth moving machines from injuries due to accidents. The operator cab may include a frame, windows, doors, and various control panel and displays. The frame of the operator cab may include a plurality of structural members, such as columns and beams. The frame of the operator cab may be formed by joining the plurality of structural members. One such method of joining includes welding of the structural members to form the frame of the operator cab.

However, welding the structural members together results in a high amount of stress at welded locations. The high amount of stress developed at the welded locations of the frame may sometimes result in failure of the frame. Also, the plurality of structural members required for manufacturing the frame increases the complexity of the structure. Welding of the plurality of structural members over several welded locations may result in low strength of the frame. Further, the welding of various structural members is a time consuming process and therefore may result in low productivity.

The present disclosure is directed to solve one or more problems associated with earth moving machines as cited above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to an operator cab for an earth moving machine. The operator cab comprises an at least one frame. The at least one frame is formed from a single work-piece and having a first end and a second end. The at least one frame further includes a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion. The first portion extends in a first direction and includes the first end. The second portion extends in a second direction at an angle from the first portion, forming a first bend of the at least one frame. The second portion extends between the first portion and the third portion. The third portion extends in a third direction at an angle from the second portion, forming a second bend of the at least one frame. The third portion is disposed generally along the same direction as and spaced from the first portion. The third portion is smaller in length than the first portion. The third portion extends between the first portion and the fourth portion. The fourth portion extends in a fourth direction at an angle from the third portion, forming a third bend of the at least one frame. The fourth portion is disposed generally along the same direction as and spaced from the second portion. The fourth portion includes the second end. The second end is coupled to the first portion at a location offset from the first end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary earth moving machine, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary operator cab, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an earth moving machine 100, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. The earth moving machine 100 may embody a fixed or mobile machine that performs various operations associated with an industry such as, but not limited to mining, construction, farming, transportation, or automobile industry. Examples of the earth moving machine 100 may include, but is not limited to, a track-type tractor (shown in FIG. 1), an excavator, a shovel, a backhoe, an automobile or construction machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, the earth moving machine 100 may comprise an operator cab 102, a work tool 104, and a pair of tracks 106. The operator cab 102 may include devices that receive input from a machine operator indicative of desired maneuvering of the earth moving machine 100. Specifically, the operator cab 102 may include one or more operator interface devices for example a joystick, a steering wheel, or a pedal etc. (none of which are shown but are well known in the industry). Operator interface devices may initiate movement of the earth moving machine 100, for example travel and/or tool movement by producing displacement signals that are indicative of desired maneuvering.

The work tool 104 may be coupled with a frame of the machine by various linkage structures. The various linkage structures may be actuated by fluid actuators to operate the work tool 104. The work tool 104 may be operated by the machine operator via various control levers.

Numerous different work tools 104 may be attached to the earth moving machine 100 and can be the machine operator controllable. Work tool 104 may include any device used to perform a particular task such as, for example, a blade (shown in FIG. 1), a fork arrangement, a bucket, a shovel, a ripper, a broom, a propelling device, a cutting device, a grasping device, or any other task-performing device known in the art.

The pair of tracks 106 may be configured to drive the earth moving machine 100 on a path. The pair of tracks 106 maybe driven by travel motors which in turn are driven by a prime mover. In an alternate embodiment, the earth moving machine may include wheels, belts etc. to drive the earth moving machine 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the operator cab 102, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. The operator cab 102 comprises an at least one frame 202, a roof 204, a floor 206, and a door frame 208.

The at least one frame 202 may be a side frame, a front frame, or the back frame of the operator cab 102. The at least one frame 202 may be coupled with the roof 204 of the operator cab 102. The at least one frame 202 may be coupled with the roof 204 by a coupling mechanism, such as a weld, mechanical fasteners such as bolts or rivets, or any other coupling mechanisms known in the art. Similarly, the floor 206 may be coupled with the at least one frame 202 with similar coupling mechanisms.

In one example, the at least one frame 202 of the operator cab 102 can be formed from a single length of work-piece, for example, by bending a tube. The at least one frame 202 includes a first portion 210, a second portion 212, a third portion 214, a fourth portion 216, a first end 218, and a second end 220.

The first portion 210 may be a front upright member extending from the floor 206 in a first direction (shown in an upward direction) to the roof 204 of the operator cab 102. The first portion 210 includes the first end 218 of the work-piece which may be coupled with the floor 206. The first portion 210 may act as a column for the operator cab 102 and supports a load on the operator cab 102 in conjunction with other portions of the at least one frame 202. Further, a side of the first portion 210 may be coupled with the door frame 208 of the operator cab 102. The door frame 208 may be coupled with the side of the first portion 210 by a coupling mechanism, such as a weld, mechanical fasteners such as bolts or rivets, or any other coupling mechanisms known in the art. A door may be coupled with the door frame 208. In an embodiment, the door may be coupled with the door frame 208 by using hinges.

The second portion 212 may be an upper lateral member extending at an angle in a second direction (shown in a rearward direction) from the first portion 210. The second portion 212 extends an angle to the first portion 210 such that a first bend 222 is formed between the second portion 212 and the first portion 210. In the exemplary embodiment, the second portion 212 is substantially perpendicular (within manufacturing tolerances of about 85 to 95 degrees) to the first portion 210. The second portion 212 is formed by bending the work-piece in a substantially perpendicular direction from the first portion 210, thereby forming the first bend 222 of the at least frame 202. The second portion 212 may be coupled with the roof 204 by a coupling mechanism, such as a weld, mechanical fasteners such as bolts or rivets, or any other coupling mechanisms known in the art. The second portion 212 may act as a beam structure for the operator cab 102. The second portion 212 extends between the first portion 210 and the third portion 214.

The third portion 214 may be a rear upright member extending at an angle in a third direction (shown in a downward direction) from the second portion 212. The third portion 214 extends an angle to the second portion 212 such that a second bend 224 is formed between the third portion 214 and the second portion 212. In the exemplary embodiment, the third portion 214 is substantially perpendicular (within manufacturing tolerances of about 85 to 95 degrees) to the second portion 212. The third portion 214 is formed by bending the work-piece in a substantially perpendicular direction from the second portion 212 such that the third portion 214 is disposed generally along the same direction as the first portion 210 although spaced from the first portion 210, which can be substantially parallel to the first portion 210. In an embodiment, the third portion 214 may extend from the second portion 212 at an angle of 86 degrees. In another embodiment, the third portion 214 may extend from the second portion 212 at an angle of 94 degrees. The length of the third portion 214 may be smaller than the length of the first portion 210. The third portion 214 may act as a column for the operator cab 102 and supports a load on the operator cab 102 in conjunction with other portions of the at least one frame 202. The third portion 214 extends between the second portion 212 and the fourth portion 216.

The fourth portion 216 may be a lower lateral member extending at an angle in a fourth direction (shown in a front direction) from the third portion 214. The fourth portion 216 extends an angle to the third portion 214 such that a third bend 226 is formed between the fourth portion 216 and the third portion 214. In the exemplary embodiment, the fourth portion 216 is substantially perpendicular (within manufacturing tolerances of about 85 to 95 degrees) to the third portion 214. The fourth portion 216 is formed by bending the work-piece in a substantially perpendicular direction from the third portion 214 such that the fourth portion 216 is disposed generally along the same direction as the second portion 212 although spaced from the second portion 212, which can be substantially parallel to the second portion 212. In an embodiment, the fourth portion 216 may extend from the third portion 214 at an angle of 94 degrees. In another embodiment, the fourth portion 214 may extend from the third portion 212 at an angle of 86 degrees. The fourth portion 216 may act as a beam structure for the operator cab 102. The fourth portion 216 includes the second end 220 of the at least one frame 202. The second end 220 is coupled to the first portion 210 at a location offset from the first end 218. The second end 220 may be coupled to the first portion 210 by a coupling mechanism, such as a weld, mechanical fasteners such as bolts or rivets, or any other coupling mechanisms known in the art.

The at least one frame 202 of the operator cab 102 is formed by bending the single work-piece into the first portion 210, the second portion 212, the third portion 214, and the fourth portion 216. The work-piece is bent in such a manner so that the at least one frame 202 is of shape of letter ‘P’. Further, the cross-section of the work-piece may be formed with an inset feature configured to receive a window. A window back ledge 228 is formed in the first portion 210, the second portion 212, the third potion 214, and the fourth portion 216. The window back ledge 228 may support a window pane. In other words, the window pane may be coupled with the window back ledge 228.

Although, the disclosure is explained with reference to the at least one frame 202 acting as a side frame, it is understood that the at least one frame 202 may be, but not limited to, the front frame, the back frame etc. of the earth working machine 100. To this end, the use of directional terms like front, rear, lower, upper are relative to the overall orientation of the at least one frame 202. For example, if the at least one frame 202 was rotated counterclockwise from what is shown in FIG. 2, the first portion 210 would be an upper lateral member extending in the front and rear directions, instead of a front upright member as described above. Thus, it is understood in the art that the frame, while maintaining its general configuration, can be along any portion of the operator cab 102.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The earth moving machine 100 may operate in rough environments such as a mine site or a construction site. The operation of the earth moving machine 100 at a mine-site or a construction site may cause accidents due to vehicle overturn or vehicle roll-over etc. The earth moving machine 100 may include the operator cab 102 to protect an operator of the earth moving machine 100 from injuries due to accidents. The operator cab 102 may include the at least one frame 202, the roof 204, the floor 206, and the door frame 208. The at least one frame 202 may be, but not limited to, a side frame, a front frame, a back frame etc. The present embodiment of the disclosure is explained in reference to the side frame of the operator cab 102.

The at least one frame 202 may include the first portion 210, the second portion 212, the third portion 214, the fourth portion 216, the first end 218, and the second end 220. The at least one frame 202 can be formed from a single work-piece of ‘L’ cross-section, such as by hydroforming the cross-section of the tube. The work-piece is bent at various locations to form the first portion 210, the second portion 212, the third portion 214, and the fourth portion 216 such that the at least one frame 202 is of shape of letter ‘P’. The first end 218 of the at least one frame 202 may be coupled with the floor 206. The second end 220 of the at least one frame 202 is coupled to the first portion 210 at the location offset from the first end 218. The coupling of the second end 220 with the first portion 210 is performed in one example by welding.

The at least one frame 202 is formed by bending a single work-piece and includes only one weld joint. Therefore, there may be less location for stress development. This increases the overall strength of the at least one frame 202 and in turn the operator cab 102. It also can present a more aesthetically pleasing frame, including less welding features that are covered by the paint. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An operator cab for an earth moving machine comprising: at least one frame formed from a single work-piece and having a first end and a second end, wherein the at least one frame comprises: a first portion extending in a first direction and comprising the first end; a second portion extending in a second direction at an angle from the first portion, the first and second portions forming a first bend of the frame; a third portion extending in a third direction at an angle from the second portion and disposed generally along the same direction as and spaced from the first portion, the second and third portions forming a second bend for the frame, the third portion is smaller in length than the first portion; and a fourth portion extending in a fourth direction at an angle from the third portion and disposed generally along the same direction as and spaced from the second portion, the third and fourth portions forming a third bend for the frame, the fourth portion comprising the second end, wherein the second end is coupled to the first portion at a location offset from the first end. 